Description
Barbados has deep ties with the UK. Many British Bajans travel back to see family, and plenty of holidaymakers return year after year for the west coast beaches, rum shops, cricket at Kensington Oval and the Crop Over festival in summer. Cruise passengers also step ashore in Bridgetown.
A travel eSIM is a simple way to stay connected on the island without roaming charges on your UK plan. It sits alongside your UK SIM, so you can still receive texts on your usual number while the eSIM gives you data for maps, WhatsApp and calls home over the internet.
Choose your Barbados data plan
There are 10 plans for Barbados. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £6.00 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £11.25 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £15.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £22.50 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £33.96 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £62.24 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Cruise day in Bridgetown: 1GB for 1 day covers maps and messages while you are ashore.
- Week on the beach: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days is enough for light use.
- Two to four weeks with family: 5GB, 10GB or 20GB for 30 days suits video calls and sharing family photos.
- Long visits home: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days works well for stays over the winter.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Barbados.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Barbados
Flights land at Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, on the south coast, and cruise ships berth at the port in Bridgetown. Data is useful for finding your way between parishes, checking bus and route taxi stops, booking tables in Holetown or Oistins, and keeping in touch with relatives across the island.
The east coast around Bathsheba and parts of the interior are quieter, and signal can be weaker in some valleys and gullies. Save directions before setting out on a long drive.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Barbados, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Barbados and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Barbados only: the plan does not cover other Caribbean islands such as St Lucia or St Vincent. Ask us if you are island hopping.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Can I use it to keep in touch with family on the island?
Yes. Use WhatsApp or other apps over mobile data to message and call local relatives, just as you would at home.
Will it work at Kensington Oval on match days?
It works wherever there is signal, but very large crowds can slow mobile data for everyone, so do not rely on it for e-tickets. Save them to your phone beforehand.
When should I buy my Barbados eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
